Catenary Group

N° 6380, N° 6381, N° 6371
Frame: polished chrome
Seat: foamed rubber with leather or Naugahyde
Table top: clear or amber colored glass
Chair N° 6380: H 28", W 29", D 28" (seating height: 16 1/2")
Ottoman N° 6381: H 16", W 29", D 23 1/2"
Table N° 6371: H 15", W 36", D 36"

The name of the Catenary Group—consisting of a chair, an ottoman, and a coffee table—comes from the term for the curve of a rope or string that hangs freely from two fixed points of different heights. This catenary at the same time describes the essential principle behind the construction of the chair. In the chrome frame, two cables are hung that are fixed at only two points from the front to the back. These two cables, which follow the course of a catenary, hold the eight parallel seat cushions.

Produced by Herman Miller from 1963 to 1968.

Catenary Group

From the Vitra Design Museum Collection.

1962 / produced 1963–68
Ronald Beckman, Rodney Hatanaka, associates at George Nelson's office
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Catenary Table